Kevin Sinfield, the former rugby league star, has been awarded a knighthood in the King's birthday honours list for his fundraising efforts for motor neurone disease (MND) charities. The 45-year-old has raised over £11 million since his friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019.
Sinfield's challenges began with seven marathons in seven days in 2020, reflecting Burrow's shirt number. He has since undertaken brutal running feats annually, with a seventh and final challenge, '7 in 7', set for 27 September. Sinfield said he was 'deeply honoured' and would continue to support the MND community.
He becomes only the second rugby league player to be knighted, following Billy Boston last year. Lindsey Burrow, Rob's wife, praised Sinfield as a 'champion' for the MND community, stating that 'everyone should have a friend like Kevin'.
